Tuesday 21 December

This morning we all go off in different directions: shopping, photographing, and visiting the Regional Museum at Santo Domingo. The building itself is magnificent --
a former convent built in the 16th century.

It houses a huge collection of pre-Columbian and colonial artifacts, including the treasures found in Tomb #7 at Monte Alban.

We have decided to visit the archeological site of Monte Alban in the late afternoon when it will be less crowded and the light will be golden.

Monte Alban was one of the first cities in Mesoamerica, built on a mountain with commanding views over the surrounding valleys. Founded in approximately 500 BC, it was the capital of the Zapotec Empire for the next 1200 years.

MEDIOCRE FOOD (But Oh, Those Margaritas!)

For dinner tonight we want to go down to the zocalo, the heart of the city, so we try Terra Nova, an Italian restaurant recommended by William at Mis Recuerdos. The pizza is ok, but the food in general is no reason to return.

The margaritas, on the other hand, are muy fuerte, and drinking more than two would be asking for trouble. Due to their extremely high tequila content, they score the top rating for the entire trip -- 5 on a 5 scale.

Terra Nova ~ Portal Benito Juarez 116 (that's the east side of the square)